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LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 



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THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

NEW YORK • BOSTON • CHICAGO • DALLAS 
ATLANTA • SAN FRANCISCO 

MACMILLAN & CO., Limited 

LONDON • BOMBAY • CALCUTTA 
MELBOURNE 

THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, Ltd. 

TORONTO 



LABORATORY MANUAL 
m FIELD CROPS 



BY 



CHESTER C. FARR, B.S. 

COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AGENT, STATE COLLEGE OF 
WASHINGTON, EVERETT, WASHINGTON 



THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 

1918 

All rights reserved 




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Copyright, 1918, 
By the MACMILLAN COMPANY. 



Set up and electrotyped. Published August, 191 8, 



©cuntur'a 



NortoooU i3wB8 

J. 8. Gushing Co. — Berwick & Smith Co. 

Norwood, Mass., U.S.A. 



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PREFACE 

From the introduction of Agriculture into the curriculum of 
our schools there has grown a demand that the student be 
brought into direct contact with the materials he deals with 
in his courses ; and in the study of field crops there is a need for 
a suitable outline to follow on each separate division of the work. 

The author of this manual of Field Crops worked out in his 
own class room and with the advice and help of noted agri- 
culturists, a series of practicums intended to acquaint the stu- 
dent with some of the most important phases of our common 
field crops. 

The course is not intended to equip the student for scientific 
research work but for what we choose to call the work of practi- 
tioner agriculturist, and a very large number of those who study 
agriculture for four years, become members of this group. For 
this reason the student of field crops should be given a thorough 
knowledge of the fundamentals of plant growth and plant 
structure, which will give him a basis for interpreting any prob- 
lem presenting itself in his handling of field crops. 

In preparing this manual the author is indebted to the fol- 
lowing books: Hunt's Cereals in America; Bailey's Cyclopedia 
of American Agriculture; Wilson and Warburton's Field Crops; 
Shamel's Corn Judging Manual; Coburn's Book on Alfalfa; 
Hunt's Forage and Fibre Crops; Livingston's Field Crop Pro- 
duction; Spillman's Farm Grasses of the United States; Lyon 
and Montgomery's Examining and Grading of Grain. 



CONTENTS 

PRACTICUM PAGE 

1. To Study the Seedling Characteristics of Some of the More 

Common Plants 1 

2. To Study the Effect of the Depth of Planting on the Ger- 

mination OF Seeds 3 

3. To Show the Wide Variation in Plants .... 4 

4. The Study of the Corn Kernel 5 

5. How to Select Corn Seed 6 

6. To Calculate the Cost of Producing Corn ... 8 

7. To Test the Result of Grading Corn Seed . . .10 

8. Comparative Judging of Ear Corn 11 

9. A Study of Some of the Common Diseases and Pests of Corn 12 

10. A Study of the Wheat Head 13 

11. A Study of the Wheat Plant 14 

12. A Study of the Wheat Kernel ....... 15 

13. A Study of Young Wheat Plants in the Field . . .17 

14. Judging of Wheat by Score Card 18 

15. Comparative Judging of Wheat 19 

16. The Study of Flour and Flour Manufacture . . .20 

17. The Study of the Oat Kernel 22 

18. A General Stlt)y of the Oat 23 

19. A Comparative Study of the Methods of Treating Cereals 

FOR Bunt, Loose, or Covered Smut 24 

20. A Study of the Oat Plant 26 

21. A Study of the Market Grades of Oats . . . .28 

22. To Practice Comparative Judging of Oats on the Standard 

Grades 29 

23. A Study of the Rye Plant 30 

vii 



Viii CONTENTS 

PRACTICUM PAGE 

24. A Study of the General Characteristics and Importance of 

THE Common Sorghums 31 

25. A Study OF the Characteristics of Some of the Common 

Forage Crop Seeds 33 

26. Identification of Legume Seeds and Their Impurities . . 35 

27. Classifying Impurities in Grass Seeds 36 

28. A Study of Some of the More Common Weeds . . .37 

29. A Study of the Characteristics of Some of the Common 

Legume Seeds 38 

30. A Study of the Alfalfa Plant 39 

3L An Examination of Commercial Clover Seeds . . .40 

32. An Examination of Commercial Alfalfa Seed . . .41 

33. A Study of Permanent Pasture Grasses . . . .42 

34. A Study of the Vegetative Portions of the Common Grasses 44 

35. A Study of Commercial Timothy Seed . . . .45 

36. Examination of Some of the Common Legumes . . .46 

37. A Study of the Characteristics of Some of the Common 

Grass Seeds 48 

38. A Study of Root Crops 49 

39. The Use OF THE Potato AND the Qualities OF Good Seed . . 50 

40. To Become Familiar with Desirable Qualities in Market 

Potatoes 51 

41. A Study of Crop Rotation Plans 52 

42. A Study of the Flax 54 

43. A Study of the Cotton 56 

44. Judging Market Cotton 58 

Appendix 61 

Weights and Measures with Equivalents 62 

Formulas , . . . 62 

Legal Weight per Bushel of Seeds ., = ... 63 



INTRODUCTION 

Where it is possible, we believe it is desirable to have the 
student gather the materials used in the laboratory. In some 
cases it is even more desirable to have the greater part of the 
laboratory in the fields near or on the agrostology plots. 

There is no reason why each high school that carries a course 
in field crops, should not have a few agrostology plots where 
materials that are difficult to obtain can be grown, thus afford- 
ing fresh material for the work. Suggestions and plans for 
this may be obtained from your state experiment station. 

Each student should provide himself with a large loose-leaf 
notebook, one dozen sheets of cross section paper, one-half 
dozen sheets of medium grade drawing paper, and a note paper 
filler. 

All exercises should be followed in sequence of relationship, 
and each written up in full as soon as completed. A plan which 
proves satisfactory to both teacher and student is to require 
the description of each experiment, as completed, to be handed 
in for approval or correction. It should be returned at the 
opening of the next laboratory period. 

A list of selected references bearing on the subject is given 
at the close of each practicum. From a thorough study of 
these the student will get reliable information on each topic 
and it will serve to open up the vista for that subject. 

It is assumed that the student has some knowledge of botany, 
and this course should illustrate and clarify biological principles 
learned in his previous study. 

ix 



X INTRODUCTION 

The following is a list of apparatus needed to equip the lab- 
oratory : 

6 hand-lenses 

12 1-pint fruit jars (Mason, with screw tops) 
1 torsion balance 

1 drying oven 

12 evaporating dishes 
6 rulers 

2 tape measures 
12 500-c.c. beakers 
12 porcelain pie pans 

1 large sheet of blotting paper 

2 boxes of gummed labels , 

1 large tin can for seed samples 
i yard No. 19 bolting cloth 

The above apparatus may be obtained from the following 
companies : 

Central Scientific Co., Chicago, Illinois. 

University of Nebraska, Department of Instructional Agron- 
omy, Lincoln, Nebraska. 

W. M. Welch, Scientific Company, 1516 Orleans St., Chicago, 
Illinois. 

We are indebted to the Department of Agricultural Journal- 
ism of the Iowa Agricultural College and to the United States 
Department of Agriculture for the cuts shown in the manual. 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN 
FIELD CROPS 



PRACTICUM NO. 1 

Object. To Study the Seedling Characteristics of Some of the 
More Common Plants. 

Materials. Sand, box 12" by 12" by 3", germination dishes, 
blotting paper. 

Plant several seeds each of wheat, corn, peas, beans, in 
moist sand in the box and set in a warm place; keep the 
sand moist and watch the development as soon as the first 
sprouts appear above the ground. 

Notice which bring part of the seed above the ground with 
them. 

Method. Without injury to the young plant, clip off the 
greater part of the two halves of some of the beans and com- 
pare the development of plants thus treated with those which 
are allowed to grow normally. 

Place a dozen kernels of wheat between wet blotters which 
have been cut to fit the inside of a pie plate; invert another 
pie plate over the first and set this germinator in a warm place 
for a few days, taking care that the paper remains moist. 

Place several seeds in a similar germinator, which has been 
made in a large-necked bottle. Cork the bottle and immerse 

B 1 



2 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 

completely in water ; set in a warm place, being sure that there 
is enough water in the bottle to thoroughly moisten all the 
seeds. Determine, in comparison with the sand planting, 
what the effect of air is on the germination of seeds. 

In a blotter germinator similar to the above, place some 
seeds of wheat and set the germinator in a warm place 
without the addition of water to the blotters. 

Studies 

1. Make drawings to show the difference in the characters 
and types of the various seedlings. 

2. What do you conclude in regard to the food supply neces- 
sary for germinating seeds, as proved by the clipping of the 
cotyledons of some of the beans ? 

3. What factors are essential to germination ? 

4. What essentials in plant growth are not essentials in the 
germination of the seed? 

References 

Farmers' Bulletin No. 408. 

Bailey's Cyclopedia of American Agriculture, Vol. 2, pp. 5-21 » 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 3 

PRACTICUM NO. 2 

Object. To Study the Effect of the Depth of Planting on the 
Germination of Seeds. 

Materials. Corn, wheat, alfalfa seeds, a box 12'' deep with 
one side replaced by glass, sand. 

Method. Plant the seeds in the sand close to the glass in 
successive depths of 6'', 4'', 3'', 2", 1", l'\ Set in a warm 
place and keep wet. 

Studies 

1 . Which sprouts appear above the surface first ? 

2. Which are in the best condition when they appear, as 
shown by the color of their leaves, straightness, etc. ? 

3. What has caused the difference in those which have been 
planted deeper ? 

4. What influence has the depth of planting upon the root 
development ? 

References 

Wilson and Warburton's Field Crops, p. 25. 

Hunt's Cereals in America. 

Livingston's Field Crop Production, pp. 30-31. 



4 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 

PRACTICUM NO. 3 

Object. To Show the Wide Variation in Plants. 

Materials. Cross section paper, ruler, several hundred 
ears or stalks of corn, or kernels or heads of wheat. As many 
examples as are deemed advisable may be used. 

Method. Accurate measurements are to be made and 
tabulated in the field. Standardize the graph paper, length- 
wise for the number of the ears, and crosswise for the inches. 
In the case of the ears of corn, graph so as to show the varia- 
tion in the length and in the diameter at the middle of the ears. 

Studies 

1 . How many ears are there of the same diameter ? 

2. How many of the same length ? 

3. What are the ways in which plants may be improved? 

4. Explain how the breeders of plants have an advantage, 
and how they are at a disadvantage, in comparison with animal 
breeders. 

5. Explain the importance of environment in relation to 
variation in plants. 

6. What is Mendel's law? 

7. Name some of the corn types. 

8. How may one avoid wide variation in plants ? 

References 

Bailey's Cyclopedia of American Agriculture, Vol. 2, pp. 3-21, 53. 
Livingston's Field Crop Production, pp. 1-8. 
Atkinson's Botany, p. 497. 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 5 

PRACTICUM NO. 4 

Object. The Study of the Corn Kernel. 

Materials. Samples of corn, beakers, alcohol lamp, scales. 

Method. Soak ten grams of corn in warm water until the 
outer coating can be easily torn off. Separate the following 
parts : testa, starch, embryo, endosperm. Dry these parts in 
the oven at a slow temperature for several hours, and then 
determine the percent of kernel made up by each part. (Check 
your residue on the original sample.) 

(1) From seeds which have been soaked until they may be 
easily cut in pieces, make a drawing of a lateral cross section 
and label all parts. 

(2) Make a drawing of a side section and label all parts. 

Studies 

1. Name ten products obtained from the kernel of corn. 
Tell from what part each is obtained. 

2. From what part of the kernel are the most nutritious 
foods obtained ? 

3. What is the aleurone layer on the kernel, and where is it 
found in reference to the other layers ? 

References 

Hunt's Cereals in America. 

Bailey's Cyclopedia of American Agriculture, Vol. 2, p. 325. 

Wilson and Warburton's Field Crops. 

American Corn Products Company's Corn Products. 

Farmers' Bulletin No. 298. 

Livingston's Field Crop Production, pp. 51-53. 



6 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 



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Some Common Types of Kernels 
(Showing lateral, germ end, and endosperm end cross sections.) 

PRACTICUM NO. 5 



Object. How to Select Corn Seed. 

Materials. Score card on corn, eight ears of corn for each 
member of the class. (Score card may be obtained from the 
state experiment station.) 

Method. Score eight ears by the use of the score card, after 
making sure that you understand all the terms used. (See 
Shamel's Corn Judging and Shoesmith's The Study of Corn.) 

Make a germination test of each ear ; after ten days make a 
reading of the test to determine which are dead and which are 
active. 

Studies 

1. Judging from these tests and scores, which ears would be 
the best to plant ? 

2. From the poorest ear, what would be the cost of the live 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 7 

seed per pound, if the corn sold for 3 cents per pound on the 
ear? 

3. OutHne the methods best suited for the care of seed corn 
in your section. (See Farmers' Bulletin No. 323.) 

4. Explain the following terms in the score card : uniformity, 
market condition, proportion of corn to cob, uniform kernel. 

5. Give the necessary rules for scoring. 

6. What constitutes a bushel of corn ? 

7. Of what importance is shrinkage ? 

References 

Farmers' Bulletins Nos. 249, 409. 
Shamel's Corn Judging. 
Farmers' Bulletins Nos. 199, 81, 229, 253. 
Farmers' Bulletin No. 415, Corn Seed. 
Livingston's Field Crop Production, p. 81. 

Score Card for Judging Corn 

Type and uniformity 10 

Maturity and market condition 10 

Purity of kernel 5 

Purity of cob 5 

Shape of ear 10 

Length of ear 10 

Circumference of ear 5 

Shape of kernel 5 

Uniformity of kernel 5 

Character of germ 10 

Butts 5 

Tips 5 

Space between rows 5 

Size of cob 10 

Total 100 

Student's name, 

Date, Standing, 



(The variety standard for length and circumference of the ear should 
be obtained by writing to your state experiment station.) 



8 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 

PRACTICUM NO. 6 
Object. To Calculate the Cost of Producing Corn, 

Method. This laboratory exercise is intended to acquaint 
the student with the factors to be taken into consider- 
ation in calculating the cost of producing a crop, and to get 
estimates on the cost of production for the locality. (This 
exercise may be worked out for the most important crop of the 
community.) 

Include : Interest on the investment at 5%. 

Cost of seed at 3 cents per pound. 

Water right and maintenance charges in the case of irriga- 
tion. 

Taxes. 

Labor of preparing the soil. 

Cost of implements, counting depreciation at 10 % per 
annum. 

Value of horses, depreciation 10 % per annum. 

When manures are applied, charge only that part used in 
the production of the crop, viz. : if six tons are applied every 
other year, only half of the cost of the fertilizer should be borne 
by one year's crop. 

Studies 

1. What profit would be realized from the average state 
yield at one cent per pound for the corn ? 

2. Where in the cost account could the farmer most readily 
reduce the expense of production ? 

3. If the expenditure of one ton of manure per acre 
at $1.50 per ton, labor included, produced an increase of 
one-third in the crop, what would be the result on the 
profits ? 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 9 

References 

United States Department of Agriculture, Yearbook 1913, Average 
yields per acre. 

Livingston's Field Crop Production, pp. 61-71, 54. 
Farmers' Bulletins Nos. 303, 313, 414. 
Hunt's Cereals in America, pp. 398-427. 



10 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 

PRACTICUM NO. 7 

Object. To Test the Result of Grading Corn Seed. 

Materials. Corn on the cob, access to a corn planter at a 
near-by hardware store or on a farm. 

Method. Shell one ear with all the kernels. 

Shell another ear and grade the seeds to uniform size. 

Run both samples through the machine by propping the 
machine off the floor and turning the wheels. 

Calculate the number of hills in one hundred (or the per- 
centage of hills dropped) which contain either more or less than 
the regulation number of kernels. 

Studies 

1. What effect would this grading have on your stand of 
corn? 

2. How many more pounds of seed would be required to 
plant an acre with the ungraded seed ? 

3. What would the grading per bushel be worth, i.e. how 
much more could you afford to pay for graded seed, if you 
consider only the amount of land one bushel will sow ? 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 11 

PRACTICUM NO. 8 
Object. Comparative Judging of Ear Corn. 

Materials. A large number of ears of corn, at least eight 
for every two members of the class. 

Method. This work should be done individually and with- 
out reference to the manual. Place the ears in the order of 
their merit, and write your criticisms of each of the first three, 
telling why you placed the ears in that order. (As much of 
this work may be done as is deemed advisable ; at least two or 
three laboratory periods are recommended.) 

References 

Shamel's Corn Manual. 

Livingston's Field Crop Production, p. 92. 

Shoesmith's The Study of Corn. 



12 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 



PRACTICUM NO. 9 

Object. A Study of Some of the Common Diseases and Pests 
of Corn. 

Materials. Mounted specimens of the common insects : 
earworm, root louse, chinch bug, click beetle or wire worm. 
Mounted or dried specimens of the corn smut and ear mold. 

Method. A great deal of time should be spent in reference 
work and in becoming familiar with the life history of the in- 
sects and the fungi. 

Studies 

1. From the references at hand, write an article of at least 
500 words on one of the common corn pests or diseases in your 
State. 

2. How do the grasshoppers survive the winter ? 

3. What are the most important features in the life history 
of the corn earworm ? 

References 

Bailey's Cyclopedia of American Agriculture, Vol. 2, p. 35. 
Farmers' Bulletin No. 248. 
Weed's Life History of Insects. 
Livingston's Field Crop Production, p. 93. 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 13 

PRACTICUIVI NO. 10 
Object. A Study of the Wheat Head. 
Material. Preserved wheat heads, several for each student. 

Method. Examine the heads of wheat. Remove the follow- 
mg parts, make drawings, and define empty glume,, flowering 
glume, palea, rachis, spikelet. 

For the head of wheat make the following determinations ; 

1. Number of spikelets in each spike. 

2. Number of flowers in each spikelet. 

3. Number of empty glumes in each spikelet. 

4. How does the flowering glume differ from the palea ? 
Make a sketch of an empty glume to show beak, shoulder, 

auricle. 

References 

Bailey's Cyclopedia of American Agriculture, Vol. 2, pp. 373, 660-670. 
Hunt's Cereals in America, pp. 26-137. 
Livingston's Field Crop Production, p. 104. 
Farmers' Bulletins Nos. 210, 466. 



14 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 

PRACTICUM NO. 11 

Object. A Study of the Wheat Plant. 

Materials. Wheat plants in the field or dried plants in the 
laboratory. 

Method. Make the determinations and measurements from 
the material, and record in tabular form in your notebooks. 

1. Length of spike, average of five spikes. 

2. Shape, side view : square, fiattened with the spike. 

3. Shape, end view : square, flattened with the spike. 

4. Number of sterile spikelets and where found ? 

5. x\wns : length. 

6. Awns : slender, medium, stout. 

7. Awns : parallel, spreading. 

8. Awns : deciduous, persistent. 

9. Awns: light yellow, dark. 

10. Spikelet : compact, spreading, widely spreading. 

11. Spikelet : number of grains in average of five. 

12. Basal hairs : long, short, medium, wanting, color. 

13. Outer glume : color. 

14. Outer glume : smooth, hairy, spinose. 

15. Outer glume : wide, narrow. 

16. Length of outer glume : medium, long. 

17. Attachment of outer glume : firm, weak. 

18. Beak : long, medium, short. 

19. Shoulder : broad, medium, narrow. 

Reference 
Hunt's Cereals in America. 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 15 




Prepared Samples for Class Use 

PRACTICUM NO. 12 

Object. A Study of the Wheat Kernel. 

Material. Samples of grain from several varieties. 

Method. Examine the samples, and tabulate the deter- 
minations for each variety in your notebooks. 

1 . Density : hard, very hard, horny, dull, starchy. 

2. Appearance of cross section : horny, dull, starchy. 

3. Weight of seed, average of one hundred seeds. 

4. Ratio of length to width. Divide length of 25 grains by 
the width of 25 grains, crease downward. (Use cross section 
paper.) 

5. Shape : straight, curved, pear-shaped. 



16 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 



6. Plumpness : plump, medium, shriveled. 

7. Cheeks : flat, plump, angular. 

8. Tip : pointed, blunt. 

9. Base : pointed, blunt. 

10. Crease : deep, medium, shallow ; wide, narrow. 

11. Brush: large, small, short, long. 

12. Color of grain : yellow, light yellow, clear amber, dull 
amber, clear red, dull red. 



Method of Tabulation in the Notebooks 



No. OF QUES. 


Variety Name Variety Name 


Variety Name 


Remarks 





















































References 

Farmers' Bulletin No. 210. 
Dolinger's Book on Wheat, 
Livingston's Field Crop Production, pp. 107-137. 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 17 

PRACTICUM NO. 13 

Object. The Study of Young Wheat Plants in the Field. 

Material. To be worked in the field on half matured 
plants. It is advised that as many varieties as possible, com- 
mon to the community, be used for this study, in order that the 
student may become familiar with the variety characteristics of 
the young plants. 

Method. Tabulate the description of the different varieties. 

1. Color: light green, dark green, yellowish green, light 
gray green, medium gray, dark gray green. 

2. Length of leaf blade, average of 10 blades. 

3. Width of blades, average of 10 blades at the widest 
place. 

4. Leaf blade : erect, ascending, drooping. 

5. Leaf blade : smooth, rough, downy. 

6. Leaf blade : veins prominent, veins not prominent. 

7. Leaf blade : end tapering, end parallel with the sides. 

8. Leaf sheath : green, green shading, purple. 

9. Ligule : white, purple. 

10. Ligule : 2| mm. long, 2 mm. long, 3 mm. long. 

11. Auricles: white, green, purple tips, purple. 

12. Auricles : hairy, partly hairy, smooth. 

13. How many culms in each crown? (average of ten). 

14. How many crowns in each square yard ? 

15. Do you consider this a good or poor stand ? 



18 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 

PRACTICUM NO. 14 
Object. Judging of Wheat by Score Card. 
Materials. Several samples of wheat of market grading. 
Method. Score each sample according to the score card. 

Studies 

1. What are the requirements for each of the following 
market grades of wheat : No. 1, No. 2, No. 3? 

2. What are the market requirements in regard to smut ? 

3. What is meant by dockage in selling wheat ? 

4. What are the differences in quality of the hard and soft 

wheats ? 

References 

Standard grades of grain by State Commission of Grain and Hay 

Inspection. 
Dolinger's Book on Wheat. 
Hunt's Cereals in America, pp. 38-41. 
Grades of Grain ; National Grain Dealers iVssociation, — b^ per copy, 

J. F. Coucier, Secretary, Toledo, Ohio. 
Livingston's Field Crop Production, p. 386. 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 19 

PRACTICUM NO. 15 
Object. Comparative Judging of Wheat. 

Materials. One pint samples of wheat, small-sized grain 
tester. 

Method. The weights per bushel may be ascertained be- 
fore the work is started by the use of the grain tester and 
written on all samples. 

This work should be individual and should be completed in 
a limited amount of time, depending upon the number of 
samples to be judged. 

The samples are to be placed in the order of their merit, 
as on a milling basis, and reasons given for the first three 
placings. 

No score cards are to be used. The work is to be handed to 
the instructor at the end of the allotted time. 

Reference 
Livingston's Field Crop Prodiwtion, p. 141. 



20 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 

PRACTICUM NO. 16 

Object. The Study of Flour and Flour Manufacture. 

Materials. Samples of whole wheat flour, bleached flour, 
graham flour, and corn meal, microscope. No. 19 bolting cloth. 

Method. A very valuable addition to this exercise is a trip 
to a near-by flour mill, if convenient. A written report of the 
methods as observed by the student should be required. 

Examine all of the samples supplied and determine the fol- 
lowing, tabulating the results in the notebooks : 

1. Granulations, under high-power microscope: round, 
angular, square. 

2. Amount in a ten gram sample which will pass through 
a No. 19 bolting cloth. 

3. Color, on plate glass under the disect. 

4. Percentage of gluten in a ten gram sample. Determine 
by the wash method as follows : 

Weigh out a ten gram sample and place in an evaporating 
dish ; mix into a stiff dough and keep adding more water, 
slowly working the mass until you have washed out all of the 
starch, which is proved by the failure to get a blue-colored 
reaction, when a weak solution of iodine is added to the wash 
water. (Be careful that none of the sticky gluten is washed 
away.) When the starch has been washed out, squeeze all 
the water possible from the mass of gluten and weigh. Place 
in the oven and when dry, weigh and determine the percentage 
of dry gluten in the flour of the original sample. 

Studies 

1. What parts of the kernel make up the whole wheat flour? 

2. What relation does gluten have to bread making ? 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 21 

3. Describe the process of flour making in the different phases 
and the machinery used for each phase. 

References 

Encyclopocdla Britamiica, Floiir Manufacture. 

Hunt's Cereals in America, pp. 113-121. 

Charts on milling from Washburn Crosby Co., St. Paul, Minn, 

Livingston's Field Crop Production, p. 115. 



22 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 

PRACTICTOi NO. 17 

Object. The Study of the Oat Kernel. 

Materials. Samples of several varieties of oats; sample 
of clipped oats. 

Method. Make the following comparisons in your note- 
books. 

Studies 

1. In what ways does the oat grain differ from that of the 
wheat ? 

2. In what ways does the oat kernel differ from that of the 

wheat ? 

3. What botanical parts of the oat are persistent with the 

kernel ? 

4. Make a test of the samples given in order to determine 
the percentage of kernel to hull. 

5. Which sample would be the best for food ? 

6. What would be the difference in price if the clipped oats 
sold for 60 (^ per bushel, that is, how much could you afford to 
pay for clipping the oats? 

Reference 
Livingston's Field Crop Production, pp. 145-150. 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 23 

PRACTICUM NO. 18 

Object. A General Study of the Oat. 

Materials. Reference material. 

Method. Research the reference material thoroughly and 
prepare a paper including study determinations. 

Studies 

1. What are the botanical differences between the oat and 
the wheat plants? 

2. To what genus does each belong ? 

3. What is the composition of the oat? Compare its com- 
position with the wheat and the barley. 

4. Discuss the importance of the oat crop in comparison 
with the other cereal crops. (Given in the Year Book for 
1913.) 

5. To what uses are oats put, in comparison with wheat 
and corn ? 

6. Give the economic importance of the oat smut in the 
United States, and give methods best adapted to its control. 

References 

Farmers' Bulletins Nos. 250, 436, 507. 

Bailey's Cyclopedia of American Agriculture, Vol. 2, p. 485. 

Hunt's Cereals in America, pp. 280-317. 

United States Department of Agriculture, Year Book 1913. 

Gray's Field Botany. 

Livingston's Field Crop Production, pp. 145-150. 



24 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 



PRACTICUM NO. 19 



Object. A Comparative 
Study of the Methods of Treat- 
ing Cereals for Bunt, Loose, 
or Covered Smut. 

Materials. Seeds of oats 
or wheat; copper sulphate 
(blue vitriol) ; formalin (40% 
solution of formaldehyde). 

Method. Immerse several 
hundred seeds for ten minutes 
in a solution of copper sul- 
phate made in the proportion 
of one pound to five gallons 
of water. 

Allow the seeds to drain in 
a cloth or basket. 

Test • duplicate samples of 
treated and untreated seeds 
in a germinator and tabu- 
late the results as shown in 
the form on the opposite 
page. 
In a similar manner make a germination test of a sample 
of the same seeds, which have been immersed for ten minutes 
in water at 133° F. and quickly cooled by plunging hito cold 
water. 

Also make a germination test of seeds which have been 
sprinkled with formalin, and kept in a closed box for 30 minutes, 
or tightly covered with a cloth for 1 hour. 




Smut on Oats 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 



25 



Percentage of Germination 


No. 1 


No. 2 


Average 


Untreated seed 

Copper sulphate treated .... 
Hot water treated 

Formalin treated 

1 









Studies 

1 . What do you conclude as to the effect of these treatments 
on the viability of the seeds ? 



26 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 

PRACTICUM NO. 20 

Object. A Study of the Oat Plant. 

Materials. Dried specimens of oat panicles. 

Method. Examine dry panicles which are at hand and 
answer the following in tabular form in your notebooks. 

1 . Length of panicle, average of five panicles. 

2. Number of whorls, average of five panicles. 

3. Number of main branches, average of five panicles. 

4. Number of spikelets, average of five panicles. 

5. Variation in the length of the. pedicle to 

inches. 

6. Number of grains, average of five panicles. (Reserve 
until the last.) 

7. Number of grains per spikelet. 

8. Weight of grains, average of five panicles of 100 grains each. 

9. Relative size of lower and upper grains. 

Weight of 25 upper grains, 

Weight of 25 lower grains, ; . . 

10. Percentage of kernel, ; weight of 100 grains, 

; weight of 100 kernels, ; percentage 

of kernel to grain, 

11. Plumpness of kernel: plump, medium, inflated. 

12. Flowering glume : thick, medium, thin. 

13. Length of 25 grains from base to tip of flowering glume ; 
from the base to the tip of the kernel, 

14. Density, determined by the grain tester, or by weighing 
an exact number of cubic inches, and reducing to weight per 
bushel. 

15. Color of the grain : light yellow, gray, reddish brown, 
black. 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 27 

16. Diameter of the rachis, average of five. 

17. Depth of furrow below the branches : furrowed, medium, 
smooth. 

18. Wall of culm : thick, medium, thin. 

19. Panicle : open, partly open, closed. 

20. Flowering glume : beardless, partly bearded, bearded. 

References 

Livingston's Field Crop Production, pp. 144-150. 

Lyon and Montgomery's Examining and Grading Grain, pp. 51-55. 



28 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 



PRACTICUM NO. 21 

Object, A Study of the Market Grades of Oats. 

Materials. Four-ounce samples of market oats; score card. 

Method. From the state standard grades of oats as estab- 
lished by the state commission of grades and grains, and by 
use of the score card make scorings of at least four of the dif- 
ferent samples. 

Studies 

1. What are the requirements for the following grades? 
Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and feed? 

2. What precautions in harvesting will prevent off-color in 
oats ? 



Scale of Points 

1. Uniformity of grains . 

2. Color 

3. Size and plumpness 

4. Percent hull .... 

5. Percent foreign matter 

6. Percent damaged grain 

7. Weight per bushel 

Total . . . . 



Perfect 


Number of Sample 


10 




10 . 




15 




15 




15 




15 




20 





Reference 
Livingston's Field Crop Production, p. 148. 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 29 



PRACTICUM NO. 22 

Object. To Practice Comparative Judging of Oats on the 
Standard Grades. 

Materials. One quart of samples of market oats. 

Method. Follow the same method as outlined for the com- 
parative judging of wheat in Practicum No. 15, p. 19. In- 
dividual work is very important in this practicum. 

Weigh out a ten gram sample, separate from the grain all 
the foreign matter, weed seeds, straw, dirt, etc., and then de- 
termine the percentage of pure seed by weight. 

Determine by the germination test the percentage of viable 
seeds in forty-eight hours. 

The percentage of viable multiplied by the percentage of 
pure seeds equals the percentage of pure viable seeds in the 
sample. 

Studies 
1. Of what value is the pure viable seed test? 

References 

Livingston's Field Crop Production, pp. 374-377. 

Lyon and Montgomery's Examining and Grading Grain, pp. 94-99. 



30 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 

PRACTICUM NO. 23 

Object. A Study of the Rye Plant. 

Materials. Matured plants in the field, or the entire matured 
plant dried in the laboratory. 

Method. Make a study of the plant, and tabulate the fol- 
lowing data in your notebooks : 

1. Height of the culm, average of ten culms to the tip of 
the awn. 

2. Culm : diameter below the spike, average of ten culms. 

3. Wall of culm compared with the oat : thick, medium, thin. 

4. Foliage compared with that of the wheat: scanty, me- 
dium, abundant. 

5. Is there any rust present ? If so, what percentage of the 
leaves are affected ? 

6. Is there any ergot present? If so, what percentage of 
the heads are affected ? 

7. Spike : erect, leaning, nodding. 

8. Length of spike, average of ten spikes from the lower 
part of the rachis to the tip of the outer glume. 

9. Number of grains per spikelet. 

10. Number of grains per spike, average of ten spikes. 

11. Weight of 100 grains. 

12. Size : length of ten grains, width of ten grains. 

13. Plumpness : plump, medium, shrunken. 

14. What is the standard weight per bushel for rye ? 

15. Make a drawing of the outer glumes of wheat and rye 
for comparison. 

References 

Hunt's Cereals in America, pp. 345-355. 

Bailey's Cydoyedia of American Agriculture, p. 375. 

Livingston's Field Crop Production, pp. 177-181. 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 31 



PRACTICUM NO. 24 

Object. A Study of the General Characteristics and Impor- 
tance of the Common Sorghums. 

Materials. Dried plants, panicles, seeds of the most im- 
portant sorghums. 

Method. Make a study of the samples and write a 
report. 

Studies 

1. Name three general groups of sorghums according to the 
products obtained from them. Name three plants in each 
group. 

2. Describe and compare the inflorescence of the sorghums 
with that of the wheat. 

3. How does the composition of the kernel compare with 
that of corn? Would it be more or less valuable, pound for 
pound, as food? 

4. Discuss briefly the following plants related to the sor- 
ghums : Sudan grass (Year Book 1912); Johnson grass; 
Kafir corn; Milo maize; Broom corn (Bailey's Cyclopedia of 
American Agriculture, Vol. 2, pp. 367-380). 

5. Make a rough sketch of a sorghum panicle to show the 
principal parts. 

References 

United States Department of Agriculture, Year Book 1912. 

Bailey's Cyclopedia of American Agriculture, Vol. 2, pp. 367-380. 

Farmers' Bidletins, No. 322, Milo Maize; No. 246, Saccharine Sor- 
ghums ; No. 458, Sweet Sorghums for Forage ; No. 448, Sorghums 
for Grain ; No. 288, Non-saccharine Sorghums ; No. 50, Sorghums 
as Forage; No. 174, Broom Corn. 



32 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 

Hunt's Cereals in America, pp. 384-399. 
Bureau of Plant Industry Bulletin No. 175. 
Livingston's Field Crop Production, pp. 225-235. 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 33 



PRACTICUM NO. 25 

Object. A Study of the Characteristics of Some of the Com- 
mon Forage Crop Seeds. 

Materials. Four-ounce samples of seed of the following : 
timothy, red clover, white clover, alfalfa, vetch, blue grass. 

Method. Examine each under the disect lens, and write 
up the description in tabular form, as outlined in the following 
questions : 

Studies 

1. Weight of seed, average of 100 seeds. 

2. Length of seeds, average of 25 seeds. 

3. Width of seeds, average of 25 seeds. 

4. Shape of seeds (drawing) : spherical, flat, heart-shaped. 

5. Color. 

6. Hardness: soft, medium, hard, brittle. 

7. Covering : glume, pod. If a pod, what is the shape ? 

8. Where is the embryo located ? Make a drawing to show. 

9. What are some of the impurities? {Farmers' Bulletin, 
Adulteration of Seeds, No. 382.) 

10. What is the scientific name for the plants studied ? 

References 

Bailey's Cyclopedia of American Agriculture, Vol. 2. 
Hunt's Cereals in America. 
Farmers' Bulletin No. 382. 
Livingston's Field Crop Production, p. 374. 

Lyon and Montgomery's Examining and Grading Grains, pp. 87-93 
(very good). 



34 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 



ROUND SEED FLAT SEED 



BLACK SEED 
OBLONG SEED ANGULAR SEED 







Dwarf Essex Rape Water Melon Black Cow Pea Bind Weed 

RED SEED 






Raji 








Red Kafir Red Dent Corn Red Pole Bean 

BROWN SEED 







SLENDER SEED 

# 

Chervil 



-'-''f"^, 
^*v 



Indian Hemp 



^ 



Cabbage Beggar Ticks Buckwheat SpanishTJeedles 

REDDISH BROWN 



Alfilaria 



Red Ripper Cow Pea Curled Dock 
WHITE 





WhiteMilo Squash 



BlackEyeCow Pea Saffron 

YELLOW SHADES 



Curled Lettuce 






Yellow Soy Bean Yellow Dent Corn Wheat 

Seed Mounts 



Proso Millet 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 35 

PRACTICOI NO. 26 

Object. Identification of Legume Seeds and their Impurities. 

Materials. Impure samples of market legume seeds. 

Method. From the sample supplied, which is a mixed sample 
of legume seeds and the common impurities found in the legumes 
on the market, separate the impure seeds from the sample 
and give the name and description of each. 

References 

Farmers' Bulletin No. 428, Testing of Farm Seeds. 

Hunt's Forage and Fiber Crops. 

Livingston's Field Crop Production, p. 374. 

Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin, No. 175. 



36 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 

PRACTICUM NO. 27 

Object. Classifying Impurities in Grass Seeds. 

Materials. One or more market samples of any of the 
grass seeds mixed with some of the weed seeds which are com- 
monly found in the meadows. 

Method. Separate the foreign seeds from the sample, and 
identify by drawings or by description. 

References 

Michigan Station Bulletin No. 260. 

Iowa Station Bulletin, Vitality, Adulteration, and Impurities of Alfalfa 

and Timothy Seeds, No. 88. 
Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin No. 175. 
Lyon and Montgomery's Examining and Grading Grains, pp. 87-93. 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 37 

PRACTICUM NO. 28 

Object. A Study of Some of the More Common Weeds. 

Materials. Dried samples of weeds. It is better, when 
possible, to do the work in the field. 

Method. Examine each of the following weeds and answer 
the questions as given below : chess or cheat grass, dandelion, 
sweet clover, sour dock, Australian salt bush, mustard, John- 
son grass, crab grass. Others may be added when deemed 
advisable. 

Studies 

1 . Is it an herb or a shrub ? 

2. Is it an annual, biennial, or perennial ? 

3. Root : fibrous, tap, rhizoidous, fleshy, stout. 

4. How deeply do the roots penetrate ? 

5. Is it a drooping or an erect plant ? 

6. To what group of plants is it closely related ? 

7. Why has this plant become a weed ? 

8. Is it bitter, or tough ? Would stock eat it ? 

9. In what particular is it different from its relatives ? 

10. Leaves : broad, drooping, narrow, erect, glabrous, hairy. 

1 1 . Do its seeds have arrangements for transportation ? 

12. Would you judge it to be easily killed by plowing? 

13. Would you judge it to be easily killed by spraying? 

14. Discuss and give methods for eradication. 

References 

Bailey's Cyclopedia of American Agriculture, Vol. 2. 

Hunt's Cereals in America. 

Ohio Bulletin No. 175. 

Livingston's Field Crop Production, p. 219. 



38 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 

PRACTICUM NO. 29 

Object. A Study of the Characteristics of Some of the, Com- 
mon Legume Seeds. 

Materials. Four-ounce samples of the following legume 
seeds : alfalfa, red clover, white clover, alsike clover, vetch, 
Canada field peas, navy beans, crimson clover, cowpeas, 
lespedeza ; disect lens. 

Method. Tabulate the examination in the notebook as 
follows : 

Studies . 

1. Seed, viewed from the two largest diameters: round, 
oval, elliptical, kidney-shaped. 

2. Seed, viewed from the two smallest diameters : round, 
oval, flat. 

3. Seed, length of largest diameter, 

4. Seed : orange, black, yellowish brown, yellow, reddish, 
red, green, yellowish green. 

5. Hilum : round, oval, elongated. 

6. Radicle: more than half of the edge, half of the edge, 
less than half of the edge. 

7. Radicle : tip prominent, tip not prominent. 

8. How many weed seeds in each pound of the varieties 
examined ? 

9. What characteristics serve to identify each species? 

References 

Hunt's Forage and Fiber Crops, p. 150. 

Lyon and Montgomery's Examining and Grading Grains, pp. 87-93. 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 39 

PRACTICUM NO. 30 

Object. A Study of the Alfalfa Plant. 

Materials. A field study of the plants and reference work. 

Method. Examine the plants in the field and write the 
description of them as suggested by the outline given here. 

Studies 

1 . How does the alfalfa produce the second crop of hay ? 

2. Is there any indication of this new growth at present ? 

3. How do alfalfa leaves differ from clover leaves ? 

4. Make a drawing of the alfalfa leaf. 

5. Count the leaves on ten stems of the alfalfa plant. On 
an average, how many leaves are there for each stem? On 
an average, how many stems to a plant ? 

6. How many plants to the square yard of ground ? 

7. What are the most dangerous weeds present in each of 
the fields examined? 

8. Would you consider this a good stand of alfalfa ? 

References 

Livingston's Field Crop Production, pp. 278-291. 
Ohio Bulletin No. 175. 



40 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 



PRACTICUM NO. 31 
Object. An Examination of Commercial Clover Seeds-. 
Materials. Samples of commercial clover seed. 

Method. Weigh out five grams of each sample of seeds, 
separate the sample into three parts, pure seeds, weed seed, 
and inert matter. Make a germination test of the clover seed 
by placing one hundred seeds in the germinator and leaving it 
for five days. 

Tabulate the results in the notebook as suggested by this 
outline . ' 

Studies 

Total weight of seeds. 

Weight of pure clover. 

Number of weed seeds per pound. 

Weight of weed seed, milligrams. 

Weight of inert matter, milligrams. 

Pure seed % 

Weed seed . . 

Inert matter 

Germination . . 

Pure viable seeds 

Sample 1, costs ^ per pound. 

Sample 2, costs ^ per pound. 

What is the actual cost per bushel of pure viable seed in 
each sample ? 

If sown at the rate of nine pounds per acre, how many weed 
seeds per acre would be sown in each case ? 



0- 

%■ 
%■ 
%. 
%. 



LABORATORY^ MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 41 

PRACTICUM NO. 32 

Object. An Examination of Commercial Alfalfa Seed. 

Materials. Samples of commercial alfalfa seed. 

Method. Follow the same method here as given for the 
examination of commercial clover seed in Practicum No. 31. 

Studies 

If sown at the rate of 18 pounds per acre, calculate the num- 
ber of weed seeds sown to the acre. 

Report on Farmers' Bulletins Nos. 339, 428. 

1. Where in the United States is most of the alfalfa seed 
produced ? 

2. Are there any imports ? If so, from where ? 

3. What are some of the common impurities? 

4. What is the color of good seed ? 

5. What is used to adulterate alfalfa seed ? 

References 
Ohio Bulletin No. 175. 
Livingston's Field Crop Production, p. 287. 



42 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 

PRACTICUM NO. 33 

Object. A Study of Permanent Pasture Grasses. 

Materials. Grass plats or fresh samples of the grasses. 

Method. Arrange m tabular form the following informa- 
tion on the grasses given to consider : 

1. Botanical name. 

2. Foliage : large, abundant, fine, scarce. 

3. Foliage : tall, low, erect, drooping. 

4. Fibrous rooted : stoloniferous, rhizome. 

5. Inflorescence : spike, panicle. 

6. Tufted, tillering, sod forming. 

7. Easily killed out, difficult to kill out. 

8. Grasses to be studied : Kentucky blue grass, orchard 
grass, brome grass, tall, oat grass, meadow fescue, timothy, 
red top, English, rye grass, Bermuda grass, Italian rye grass. 

Studies 

1. What influence does the variety of plants have on the 
value of pasture lands ? 

2. What are the advantages and the disadvantages 
of planting grasses in mixtures? (Hunt's Forage and 
Fiber Crops, p. 21 ; Livingston's Field Crop Production, 
p. 371.) 

3. How many plants to the acre are desired in pasture lands 
and how many seeds should be sown to secure this? (See 
Hunt's Forage and Fiber Crops, pp. 12-13 ; Bailey's Cyclopedia 
of American Agriculture, Vol. 2, p. 439 ; Livingston's Field 
Crop Production, p. 372.) 

4. Name four factors to be considered in choosing varieties 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 43 

for mixtures. (Bailey's Cyclopedia of American Agriculture, 
Vol. 2, pp. 437-438.) 

5. Give three ways of improving worn-out or run-down 
pasture lands. (Bailey's Cyclopedia of American Agriculture, 
Vol. 2, p. 442; Hunt's Forage and Fiber Crops; Livingston's 
Field Crop Production, p. 378.) 



44 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 

PRACTICUM NO. 34 

Object. A Study of the Vegetative Portions of the Common 
Grasses. 

Materials. The grasses in the field or on the agrostology 
plots. 

Method. Make observations and tabulate the descriptions 
in the notebook, according to the following plan : 

1. Scientific name. 

2. Common name. 

3. Where found. 

4. Leaf sheath : round, partly split, entire. Leaf sheath : 
length, from inches to inches. 

5. Ligule : long, medium, short, acute pointed, obtuse 
pointed, truncate, rectangular, serrated edges, not serrated. 

6. Leaf blade : erect, ascending drooping, smooth, downy, 
rough, rolled or convolute in the bud, folded or conduplicate 
in the bud. 

7. Color leaf blade Length inches to 

inches. 

8. Leaf blade : length inches to inches. 

9. Midrib : prominent, medium, small. 

10. End of blade : acuminate ; tapering, obtuse, parallel- 
sided. 

IL Lower internode: normal, thickened. 

12. Habit of growth : number of stolons, short stolons, long 
stolons. 

13. What characters serve to identify this grass? 

Reference 
Livingston's Field Crop Production, pp. 5-11. 



LABORATORY xMANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 45 

PRACTICUM NO. 35 

Object. A Study of Commercial Timothy Seed. 

Materials. Samples of commercial timothy seed. 

Method. Weigh out two and one-half grams of timothy 
seed. Separate the pure timothy from the inert matter, and 
the impure seeds and weed seeds. Place 100 timothy seeds in 
a germinator, and leave for about 14 days, examining them at 
intervals of 24 hours, until they commence to germinate. 
Tabulate the data in the notebooks for this, as you did for 
similar work on the legume seeds. 

Weight of sample Milligram 

Weight of pure timothy Milligram 

Weight of inert matter Milligram 

Weight of weed seeds Milligram 

Pm-e timothy Percent 

Inert matter Percent 

Weed seeds Percent 

Germination of pm-e timothy Percent 

Pm-e viable seed of timothy Percent 

Studies 

If this sample sold for $9.00 for 45 pounds, what did the pure 
viable timothy seed cost per bushel ? 



46 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 

PRACTICUM NO. 36 

Object. Examination of Some of the Common Legumes-. 

Materials. Field work on growing plants, or material from 
the agrostology plots. 

Method. Make an examination of the following legumes 
grown in your section, and report as outlined below. Tabu- 
late the results in your notebook : White clover. Sweet clover, 
Red clover, Alfalfa, Vetch, Peas. 

(Other legumes may be substituted or added.) 

1. Make a sketch of the leaf to show the shape, size, etc. 

2. Root : tap, fibrous, rhizoidous. 

3. Root : long, medium, shallow. 

4. Annual, biennial, perennial. 

5. Foliage : large, scarce, abundant. 

6. Stems : large, small, coarse. 

7. Stems : sweet, bitter, acrid. 

8. Shape of nodules. 

9. Nodules : numerous, scarce, large, small. 

10. Where are the nodules formed, — tap, fibrous, feeding 
roots ? 

Studies 

1 . What causes these nodules on legumes ? 

2. Of what advantage are the nodules to the alfalfa? 

3. The same bacteria will not infect all legumes; what 
would you advise for inoculation ?' 

4. Name the legumes best adapted to the following sections 
of the United States and tell why : Southeastern, Central, 
Southern, New England, Atlantic, Pacific Coast. 

5. Name and give the methods for three ways of inocula- 
tion. 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 47 

6. Give a suitable rotation using red clover as the legume 
crop for your section of the state. 

7. Actual problems on suggestive rotations for near-by farms 
may be carried out very satisfactorily by taking the class out to 
study the problem and allowing them to make suggestions. 

References 

Farmers' Bulletin No. 339. 

Farmers' Bulletin No. 445. 

Illinois Bulletin No. 134. 

Ohio Bulletin No. 142. 

Livingston's Field Crop Production, pp. 23, 247-250. 



48 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 



PRACTICUM NO. 37 

Object. A Study of the Characteristics of Some of the Com- 
mon Grass Seeds. 

Materials. Eight four-ounce samples of the grass seeds, 
hand lens. 

Method. Examine the grass seeds and tabulate the in- 
formation asked for below. 

1 . Flowering glume : 

Length, average of five. 

Blunt, pointed. 

Straight, curved. 

Awned, awnless. 

Color : red, brown, silver. 

Hyaline, chartaceous. 

Keel : prominent, medium, absent. 

Keel : smooth, hairy. 

Adherence : strong, medium, weak. 

2. Rachilla: 

Long, short, variable. 

Slender, broad. 

Smooth, hairy. 

Standing away, compressed to the palea. 

Absent. 

3. Give the most important character for identification of 
each variety studied. 

References 

Hunt's Forage and Fiber Crops. 

Bailey's Cyclopedia of Agriculture, Vol. 2. 

Lyon and Montgomery's Examining and Grading Grains, pp. 87-93. 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 49 

PRACTICUM NO. 38 

Object. A Study of Root Crops. 

Materials. Reference work. 

Method. Write up the answers and descriptions in your 
notebook. 

1. What plants are included under root crops? What are 
their principal uses? Name five principal states noted for 
root crop production. 

2. Name the four types of beets, and tell for what each one 
is used. 

3. Describe the culture of the beet as to the following : soil, 
amount of seed, method of seeding, cultivation, harvesting. 

4. Describe the culture of carrots in the same way as for 
beets. 

5. Give a botanical description of the rape plant and com- 
pare with the kale plant. Explain the uses of each of these. 
In what part of the United States are they mostly grown ? 

6. Explain the difference between a root and a tuber. 

7. Give the principal botanical characters of the potato 
and the history of its cultivation. 

8. What plants are closely related to the potato ? 

9. What country is the largest producer of the potato ? 

References 

Bureau of Plant Industry Bulletin No. 164. 
Bailey's Cyclopedia of Agriculture, pp. 539-550. 
Livingston's Field Crop Production, pp. 359-363. 



50 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 



PRACTICUM NO. 39 

Object. The Use of the Potato and the Qualities of Good 
Seed. 

Materials. Reference work. 

Method. Answer all questions and give all discussions in 
full in your notebooks. 

1. Name five plants belonging to the same family as the 
potato. (Gray's Botany.) 

2. Discuss the following factors as influences on potato 
yields: purity of seed, productive parents, immaturity of 
seed, diseased condition, amount per hill, storage of seed, size 
of seed. (Farmers^ Bidletins Nos. 35, 533.) 

3. Discuss with reference to the causes, the nature of the 
damage, and eradication methods, the folloAving diseases and 
pests : late blight, blackleg, Colorado beetle, dry rot, scab, 
rhizoctonia. 

4. Discuss the importance of the potato as a source of 
denatured alcohol, and tell briefly how denatured alcohol is 
made. 

References 

United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Experiment Stations 

Circidar No. 77, p. 37. 
Bailey's Cyclopedia of American Agricidture, Vol. 2, pp. 519-528. 
Farmers^ Bulletins Nos. 35, 533. 
Farmers^ Bulletin No. 91. 
Farmers' Bulletin, Denatured Alcohol, No. 410. 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 51 



PRACTICUM NO. 40 

Object. To Become Familiar with Desirable Qualities in 
Market Potatoes. 

Materials. Several ten-tuber samples for scoring and 
several different varieties for cooking. 

Method. Score all of the ten-tuber exhibits and place the 
score according to the score card given. Cook one of each of 
the varieties to be tested for cooking qualities and test accord- 
ing to the score card given. 

Potato Score Card 
10 tubers 

Uniformity of exhibit 20 

Trueness to type 10 

Size of tubers 15 

Eyes : shallowness, etc 5 

Shape of tuber 10 

Texture of the flesh 5 

Skin : smooth, clean, clear 5 

Color of flesh 5 

Soundness of flesh 10 

Freedom from sm'face blemishes 15 

Total 100 

Cooked Potatoes 

External appearance 20 

Quality and condition of flesh : soggy or mealy ... 20 

Color of flesh : dark or light 15 

Flavor 15 

Time required for cooking 10 

Uniformity of all tubers in cooking 20 

Total 100 

Reference 
Livingston's Field Crop Production, p. 336. 



52 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 




The Types of Cokn 

PRACTICUM NO. 41 

Object. A Study of Crop Rotation Plans, 

Materials. Reference work. 

Method. Consult the references before making your report. 
Discuss the following topics in full : 

1 . What is crop rotation ? 

2. Where did the scheme of crop rotations originate ? 

3. Name five advantages to be gained through the use of 
crop rotations. 

4. Give and explain three crop rotations suitable for your 
district, and give details for working this out. (Parker's 
Farm Management and Crop Rotations.) 

References 

Bailey's Cyclopedia of .American Agriculture, Vol. 2, p. 120. 
Lowther's Cyclopedia of Horticulture. 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 53 

Snyder's Soils and Fertilizers. 

Wilson and Warburton's Farm Crops. 

United States Department of Agriculture, Year Book 1007, pp. 385-398. 

Bureau of Plant Industry Bulletin No. 142. 

United States Department of Agriculture, Year Book 1902, pp. 519-532. 

Livingston's Field Crop Production, pp. 14-25. 



54 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 

PRACTICUM NO. 42 

Object. A' Study of the Flax. 

Materials. Dried culms of the flax, a sample of mature seed. 
If possible have an exhibit of the different processes through 
which the flax goes in the manufacture of linen. 

Method. Examine the mature plants and describe by com- 
paring with the other grain crops. 

1 . What parts are used for the manufacture of the linen ? 

2. Describe briefly the processes used in obtaining the 
fibers. 

3. Examine samples of flax seed and score according to the 
following score card : 

Weight per bushel 30 

Uniformity 5 

Color 10 

Purity 5 

Plumpness 15 

Luster 5 

Odor 5 

Weed seed 10 

Dirt 5 

Injured kernels 2 

Weathering 8 

Total 100 

Explanation of the points : 

Weight per bushel (56 pounds), important; determine by 
grain tester. 

Uniformity : seeds of same shape and size. 

Color : distinct for each variety. 

Purity: distinguished by size, shape, color, trueness to 
type. 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 55 

Plumpness : well rounded out on both sides on close ex- 
amination. 

Luster : bright and shiny. 

Odor : sweet, free from musty, bin, or off odors. 

Weed seed : free from foreign seeds. 

Dirt : foreign material should not be present. 

Weathering : dull appearance, stick together, objectionable. 

Cut one and one-half points for each pound less than the 
standard weight per bushel. 

References 

Farmers' Bulletin No. 27, Flax for Fiber. 

Farmers' Bulletin No. 274, Flax Culture. 

Bailey's Cyclopedia of American Agriculture, Vol. 2, pp. 293-394. 

Wilcox and Smith's Cyclopedia of Agricidture, pp. 50-52. 

Livingston's Field Crop Production, pp. 354-355. 



56 LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 

PRACTICUM NO. 43 
Object. A Study of Cotton. 
Materials. Comb, tape measure, matured cotton. 

Method. Study according to the following outline. (Field 
work.) 

Planting : 

distance apart of the rows ft in. 

distance apart of the plants ft in., 

average of ten. 

Ground : level or ridged, weedy or clean, compact or mellow. 

Plants : tall or short, wide, medium or narrow, tap-rooted or 

shallow-rooted, internodes long or short, average length 

inches. 

From what point do the fruiting branches grow ? 

Leaves : lobed or entire, pedicelled or sessile, opposite or 
alternate, stipulate or not stipulate. 

Bolls : average length of ten ; circumference of 

ten ; long or short ; large or small ; pointing up- 
ward or downward. 

Carpels : heavy or thin, rolled or not rolled, blunt-pointed or 
sharp-pointed, average number. 

Lint : White, amber, or brown, ripe or unripe, abundant, 
medium, or thin, clean or dirty, adherence strong, medium, or 
weak. 

Length of lint : inches. 

Comparative strength : weak, medium, strong. 

Seed : large or small, fuzzy or smooth ; if fuzzy, white or 
green ; if smooth, black or brown. 

Hilum : at the large or small end of seed, comb out the lint. 
Is the longest at the small end or at the large end of the seed ? 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 57 

References 

United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Experiment Stations 

Bulletin No. 33. 
United States Department of Agriculture, Year Book 1912. 
Farmers Bulletins Nos. 216, 223, 290, 48, 47, 217. 
C. P. Brooks' Cotton, Its Uses and Varieties. 



58 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 



Size of bolls (15 points) 



Length of lint (20 points) 



Fineness of lint (10 points) 



Yield (20 points) 



Uniformity in length of lint (7 points) 



Strength of lint (10 points) 



PRACTICUM NO. 44 

Object. Judging Market Cotton. 

Materials. Matured dried bolls of cotton. 

Method. Use the score card and judge several different 
samples of market cotton. 

Very large, 15 points 
Large, 14 points 
{ Medium, 12 points 

Small, 8 points 
I Very small, 3 points 

2 inches, 20 points 
1| inches, 19 points 
If inches, 18 points 
If inches, 17 points 
1^ inches, 15 points 
If nches, 10 points 
1| inches, 5 points 

f Very fine, 10 points 
I Fine, 8 points 

Medium, 6 points 
I Coarse, 3 points 

Excellent, 20 points 
Good, IS points 
Medium, 15 points 
Light medium, 10 points 
Light, 5 points 

Excellent, 7 points 
Good, 6 points 
Fair, 4 points 
_ Poor, 2 points 

Very strong, 10 points 
Strong, 8 points 
Medium, 6 points 
Weak, 3 points 



LABORATORY MANUAL IN FIELD CROPS 



59 



Percent of lint (18 points) 



33 percent, 18 points 
31-32 percent, 17 points 
29-30 percent, 16 points 
27-28 percent, 15 points 
25-26 percent, 10 points 
23-24 percent, 5 points 



Reference 
Livingston's Field Crop Production, pp. 336-354. 



APPENDIX 

In cases where the student is given credit for work done on 
the farm during the summer months, as is aheady the plan 
followed in a few states, the question presents itself as to what 
kind of work shall be recognized as worth while. If it is to be 
connected with the work in field crops some of the problems 
listed below may be given the student as practicums to be 
worked out. 

1 . To determine the effect of planting legumes on inoculated 
and non-inoculated soil. 

2. To keep a cost account of one or more crops for one year. 

3. The hybridization of plant types. 

4. The gathering and preservation of material for use in the 
laboratory. 

When this kind of work is pursued it is advisable that the 
teacher outline the work to be followed for the year, supervise 
it during the summer, and require a written report to be sub- 
mitted at the end of the season. 



61 



WEIGHTS AND MEASUREMENTS WITH 
EQUIVALENTS 

Metric 

The gram ^ is the unit of weight. 

MilHgram (mg.) = 0.001 gram. 

Kilogram (Kg. ) = 1000 grams. 
The liter ^ is the unit of capacity. 

1 cubic centimeter =0.001 Hter. 
The meter is the unit of length. 

Millimeter (mm.) = 0.001 meter. 

Centimeter (cm. ) = 0.01 meter. 

FORMUL.^ 

A cubic foot of water weighs 62.42 (approximately 62^) pounds. 
Area of a cylinder = 27rrA, where h is the height or length of the cylinder, 
TT = 3.1416, r = radius. 

Volume of a cylinder = wr^h. 

™, ,. „ . , circumference 

i he radms of a circle = • 

27r 

Circumference of a circle = 2 tR. 

To convert from C scale to F scale multiply by f and add 32. 

To convert from F scale to C scale subtract 32 and multiply by f . 

1 1 gram = 0.035 of an ounce. 
= 0.002 of a pound. 

= 1 cubic centimeter at 4° C. 

2 I litgj. == 1.035 (or approximately 1) quart, 

62 



WEIGHTS AND MEASURES WITH EQUIVALENTS 63 



Legal Weight per Bushel of Seeds 



State 

OR 

Territory 


< 


< 


00 

w 


P3 

> 
o 

O 


w 

M 

K 
O 

O 


W iz; 
^ O 


Q 

K 

Z 
K 
O 
O 


< 

"a 
< 


35 
< 

o 


< 


a 


H 
& 


o 


< 
w 


Alabama , . . 


40 


60 






70 


75 


56 




32 


60 




56 


60 


Arizona 


40 


60 










54 




32 






56 




60 


Arkansas . . . 


48 


60 


14 


60 


70 


74 


56 




32 


60 


14 


56 


60 


60 


California . . . 


50 












52 




32 






54 




60 


Colorado . 


48 


60 


14 


60 


70 




56 




32 






56 


45 


60 


Connecticiu 


48 


60 




60 






56 




32 


60 




56 


45 


60 


Delaware . 














56 














60 


Florida .... 


48 


60 








70 


56 




32 






36 




60 


Georgia 




47 


60 


14 


60 


70 




56 




32 


60 




56 


45 


60 


Idaho 




48 






60 






56 




36 






56 




60 


Illinois 




48 


60 


14 


60 


70 




56 




32 






56 


45 


60 


Indiana 




48 


60 


14 


60 


70 




56 




32 






56 


45 


60 


Iowa 




48 


60 


14 


60 


70 




56 




32 






56 


45 


60 


Kansas 




48 


60 


14 


60 


70 




56 




32 






56 


45 


60 


Kentucky . 


47 


60 


14 


60 


70 




56 




32 


60 




56 


45 


60 


Louisiana . . 


32 




14 








56 




32 






32 




60 


Maine .... 


48 


62 










56 




32 


60 








60 


Maryland . . 


















26 












Massachusetts 


48 


60 




60 






56 




32 


60 




56 


45 


60 


Michigan . 


48 


60 


14 


60 


70 




56 




32 


60 


14 


56 


45 


60 


Minnesota . . . 


48 


60 


14 


60 


70 




56 




32 


60 


14 


56 


45 


60 


Mississippi . 


48 


60 


14 


60 


72 




56 




32 


60 




56 


45 


60 


Missouri . . . 


48 


60 


14 


60 


70 




56 




32 


60 


14 


56 


45 


60 


Montana . . . 


48 


60 


14 


60 


70 




56 




32 


60 




56 


45 


60 


Nebraska . . . 


48 


60 


14 


60 


70 




56 




32 


60 




56 


45 


60 


New Hampshire . 




62 










56 




32 


60 




56 




60 


New Jersey 


48 


62 




64 






56 




30 


60 




56 




60 


New York . 


48 


60 




60 






56 




32 


60 




56 


45 


60 


North Carolina . 


48 






60 






56 




32 


60 




56 




60 


North Dakota 


48 


60 




60 


70 




56 




32 


60 




56 


42 


60 


Ohio 


48 


60 




60 


68 




56 




32 


60 




56 


45 


60 


Oklahoma . . . 


48 


60 




60 


70 




56 




32 


60 




56 


42 


60 


Oregon .... 


46 






60 






56 




32 






56 




60 


Pennsylvania . . 


47 






60' 






56 




32 






56 




60 


Rhode Island . 


48 


60 




60 


70 




56 




32 


60 




56 


45 


60 


South Carolina . 






























South Dakota 


48 


60 




60 


70 




56 




32 


60 




56 


42 


60 


Tennessee . . . 


48 


60 


14 


60 


70 


74 


56 


20 


32 


60 


14 


56 


45 


60 


Texas .... 


48 


60 




60 


70 


72 


56 




32 






56 


45 


60 


Vermont 


48 


62 




60 






56 




32 


60 




56 


45 


60 


Virginia 


48 


60 


14 


60 


70 




56 




30 




12 


56 




60 


Washington . 


48 




1 


60 






56 




32 






66 




60 



























Printed in the United States of America. 



'"pHE following pages contain advertisements 
of other Macmillan educational publications 



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BOSTON CHICAGO SAN FRANCISCO ATLANTA DALLAS 



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